News in brief

US broadcaster CBS has fired shock jock Don Imus after the controversy he caused by calling a college women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos" refused to die down and sponsors American Express, Sprint Nextel Corporation, Staples Inc, Procter & Gamble, and General Motors quit his radio show. Imus acknowledged his comment about the Rutgers players had been "really stupid", but said he was not going to complain about his fate. Time Magazine once named Imus one of the 25 Most Influential People in America; his show was worth $15m a year in revenue to CBS.Lee Glendinning

Thieves steal Fabergé eggs worth £500,000

DNA tests and fingerprint analysis were being used by police in Austria yesterday to track down thieves who stole up to €800,000 (£500,000) worth of Fabergé eggs and other artworks from a Vienna palace. The theft was discovered on Wednesday afternoon at the Palais Harrach, a Baroque-era mansion that now houses offices and shops. The thieves broke through a rear entrance and apparently loaded the items into a waiting vehicle. Police Major Manfred Briegl of Vienna's criminal investigations division said 30 Fabergé eggs, 20 porcelain vases and a painting were taken.Associated Press in Vienna

Stockholm to introduce congestion charge

The Swedish government is seeking parliamentary approval to introduce a congestion charge in Stockholm in August after voters approved traffic tolls in a referendum following a trial last year. Drivers would have to pay a 10-20 kronor (£7.30-£15) charge, depending on the hour, when entering or leaving the capital. The tolls, designed to help reduce traffic,noise and pollution, were approved by voters in a September referendum but were met with resistance from suburban commuters. Studies last year showed weekday traffic fell by an average of 20% during the trial and pollution by 9-14%Associated Press in Stockholm